. >> in an overwhelming majority, the u.s. supreme court has ruled that a fundamentalist churches with anti-gay messages that protests outside military generals arc -- military funerals are protected under the first amendment. snyder died in a non-combat related vehicle accident in iraq. they picketed outside his md. funeral in 2006. the marines father reacted to the high court's decision. >> we found out today that we can no longer bury our dead in the cemetery with dignity. >> the kansas based church has protested outside hundreds of military funerals. he filed a lawsuit accusing the church of the intensely inflicting emotional distress. the marines father initially won a multimillion-dollar settlement, which was brought out on appeal. the lawyer for the church said, that they expected this outcome. >> this is a victory for the first amendment. >> his father showed frustration that the supreme court's will never have to deal with what many grieving military families will now face in the future. >> these justices do not have to worry about this because the westboro baptist church will never get anywher

to explain to his supporters and critics by libya is important to u.s. national security. the president was that a multicultural school in the northwest today when riot that he was asked why he was spending money in libya when the school spending is lagging. libya was not what he wanted to focus on today. >> i will be addressing this issue tonight and i have already addressed that on several occasions including on your program. our involvement is going to be limited, both in time and scope. >> voters say they need a president to better explain the u.s. involvement. >> i want to hear from him why he feels is necessary to send troops over there. >> we are still boosting military spending but cutting all of these important programs, so i feel it is a problem. >> as the fights ray john, there are complaints from republicans and some democrats -- as the fighting rages on, there are complaints. on the ground, rebels are cheering. gaining strength that thanks to the air strikes by coalition forces. after losing ground last week, the rebels are dancing. a spokesman for the opposition says they'

this is strictly a humanitarian mission. he does -- that was emphasized by the u.s. commander in africa. >> our actions are focused on extending the no-fly zones half -- southward and then westward with the growing capabilities of the coalition. >> some say this is a civil war and not a threat to u.s. security. overseas visiting israel, sarah palin fault the president for what she called dithering and delay. >> he waited too long. no doubt in my mind. but now it is what it is and we need now to support him. >> president obama defended the lead in the attacks. >> there are different phases to the campaign. in the initial campaign, we took a larger role because we have the capabilities, like our ability to take out their systems. >> so far qatar is the only arab league member to be involved. but the administration says they cannot disclose all members because some could face the enemies wrath. >>> 4 "new york times" journalists captured last week are free to night. the staffers reporters at one photographer were released today and are now at the turkish embassy in libya which released

of the biggest headlines and the pressure is mounting. u.s. ships and submarines unleashed eight impressive brajah of missiles. amid those renewed efforts to end this conflict quickly. >> what at times looked like a ragtag band of rebels is getting more serious backing. leaders from 40 countries met in london today and many agree it is time to get rid of gaddafi. >> a new beginning is within our grasp and we must help them to seize it. >> while outside demonstrators begged for continued intervention. secretary clinton met twice with a representative. >> we cannot and must not attempt to impose our will on the people of libya. we can and must stand with them as they determine their own destiny. >> more u.s. and nato military action. 22 u.s. missiles launched just today. your home, there were calls for clear-cut goals. not a long term standoff. >> we want him gone. whether it is to live with chavez or hitler and stalin. he should be in a criminal court. >> gadhafi should leave libya. >> what it means for the country is unknown. would democracy take hold? leaders say they do not know enough ab

him. >> they have identified him as aaron thomas. u.s. marshals arrested him at his home friday afternoon. >> i did not know what was going on. >> the neighbors were shocked to learn that he faced sex assault, burglary, and weapons charges in connection with 17 attacks, including 12 rapes in virginia, maryland, connecticut, and rhode island. investigators say dna evidence was crucial in solving these cases. about 12 cases have been linked by dna to the same offender. >> acting on a tip, the fbi put him under surveillance a couple days ago. >> we confirmed that thomas was the east coast. this. and among the 12 cases, an 18- year-old woman raped in these woods. residents who live across the street are grateful. >> that is wonderful that our technology can do this. it is amazing. >> this is the sketch that the police have been circulating. they have not released a mug shot of thomas yet. they're hoping the victims will identify him in a lineup. he is doing court in connecticut on monday. richard reeve, abc 7 news. >>> we are on storm watch. heavy rains are on the way. the rest of t

not sure whether he will run for the u.s. senate next year. he has decided to seek another term as board chairman. he made that official today. he is a republican and and if he decides to run -- >>> next, will local company in the national spotlight as abc 7 news is talking made in america. >> a call starts for the month of march. >> the caps are ready to showcase their up tonight against the islanders. mike shanahan is trimming the roster and rebuilding his team. [music playing] america's beverage companies are working gegether to put more information right up front... adding new calorie labels to every single can, bottltl and pack they produce... so you can make the choice that's right for you. and enjoying it less and less? stop paying for second best. upgrade to verizon fios and get tv, internet and phone for just $99.99 a month for a year. call now and you'll get this special bonus: $100 back. there's no term contract required. if you don't absolutely love fios, you can cancel anytime with no early termination fee. fios is a 100% fiber-optic network that delivers the best channel li

of the american f-15 that crash landed. the two-man crew ejected. u.s. officials say they are fine. >> one crew member was recovered by coalition forces and the other crew member was recovered by the people of libya. >> the landed in eastern libya an area in control of rebel forces. the plane went down because of mechanical problems, it was not shot down. even though coalition forces have all but destroyed libyan [unintelligible] >> democracy can be imposed from the outside. it must -- cannot be imposed from the outside. it must spring from within. >> the libyan government claims forces are doing more harm to the libyan people than good. >> many civilians were killed last night so what is happening is the british government is killing more civilians to protect civilians. >> how does robert gates feel about that? >> it is almost as though some people here are taking at face the liu gaddafi's claims which are outright lies. >> a short time ago gaddafi told a crowd of reporters his resilience and not afraid of the coalition bombs. >> a former lulu lemon employee is talking to us about the bethes

has been given for secret operations on the ground. >> it appears at least publicly that the u.s. is stepping back a bit in its role regarding libya because nato forces officially took over today. but behind the scenes, the u.s. may be digging in even deeper. another day of difficult battles in libya meant challenging ones here in washington as well. top military officials were grilled by lawmakers, mad they were not asked to sign off on a libyan plan and worried about an escalation. >> there will be no good some ground. >> but they would not deny reports the cia has people there now and could not say if the u.s. plans to provide the rebels with weapons and training. >> discuss our plans if any regarding harming the rebels. they seem to be getting their butts whipped. >> we are looking at options from not doing it to doing it. >> the white house was also vague on the mission that has cost u.s. taxpayers more than half a billion dollars. >> we do not have a crystal balls and cannot predict when it will end. >> as for the prospects of ousting muammar gaddafi there are si

heightens the defiant mood of loyalists. >> as the u.s. strains under a third military operation in the islamic world, nato is preparing to take over command from the no-fly zone. this comes hours after a french flame -- a french plane hit an airplane in the no-fly zone. a day earlier a f-15 crew was down by mechanical failure in eastern libya. >> we saw his flair on the ground. we got eyes on his position. >> but the rescue crew says recovery was a moment of triumph and disaster averted. >> we had him in sight and said we're going to go in. >> while the libyan government says they are complying, the un security council says libya is in violation. >> they have claimed they have instituted a cease-fire. we see no evidence that is the case. >> the u.s. general who has been overseeing the effort sabre -- said he would have liked to have had more time to prepare. >> he was slaughtering his own people and you can't stand by. by that time, it may have become a moot point. >> a wave of democratic revolution is still sweeping the region. in yemen the nation's top general st

. >> two families were left without their sons. the u.s. is still investigating. >> we're looking into his relationship with others. >> he is held on two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. his father said, "americans are our friends and they have helped us. i can never agree with what has happened." >> we now turn to the latest in a crisis in libya. president obama has authorized military planes to fly toward the african country. evacuation planes could leave as early as friday from the u.s. military air base in germany. many people have fled libya and are stranded in tunisia. >>> late today, and then may be revealed the results of a tense and a good -- a tense investigation into risque videos aboard a navy ship. >> the investigation singles out those up the top, the men responsible for maintaining order on board. officials say they were the source of the problem. one captain has already been relieved of his command. another 32 on board, including officers, will receive less punitive disciplinary letters of caution in their permanent files. >> it was on board the uss en

, or fruits from the affected areas of japan will be allowed into the u.s. instead of banned items will not be allowed in for screaming screening. they still say there is no cause for concern. today officials in hawaii released estimates of the damage there as a result of the tsunami. the latest report shows at least $14 million in damages to buildings and homes. reporting live, rebecca cooper, abc7 news. >>> now let's talk about the crisis in libya. the united states and its allies continue to pound forces loyal to muammar gaddafi. in the east, celebration erupted in support of allied air strikes. a new poll indicates that fewer than half of all americans support the military action in libya. it is up 47% approval rate. lower than any initial military action in recent memory. >>> developing news about a mishap reagan national airport. the federal administration safety -- the federal safety administration confirms to planes landed without the confirmation of the air traffic controller. they would not confirm the report, but says they're looking into staffing issues and

its residents are safe. to the latest on crisis and libya. cement moree control. the u.s. military it will be support role only. the president held a conference call to address criticisms he consulted them before military action began. the president will update leaders on the progress made to nato control. >>> exclusive video of the national air tower controller who was suspended after falling asleep on the job. one of our news crews caught up him as he was leaving his home this afternoon. he admitted he had fallen asleep his overnight shift while trying to contact the tower. the planes landed safely. he suggests technology could prevent a future incident like this one. >> if they start to fall asleep technologies out there that can be implemented. >> the incident is sparking major changes. the faa announced radar totrollers are required contact towers to confirm the to guideer is ready plane.oming >> more eyes seem to be writing metro. they plan to install surveillance cameras at entrances at 86 stations. law enforcement agencies will access to the footage. the video will keep a c

of a trailblazer. geraldine ferraro, the first woman to run for u.s. vice- president, died this morning at a boston hospital. >> geraldine ferraro made history in 1984 when she was chosen as walter mondale's running mate. >> this is not just a simple, it is a breakthrough. it is not just a statement it is a bond between women all over america. >> she was not only the first woman to represent a major party on the national ticket, she was also the first italian american to do so. best known for her political achievements both before and after politics, she had a long and noteworthy career in public service, starting as a new york city schoolteacher, earning a law degree from fordham law school. after being admitted to the bar she spent 13 years at home raising her children. later, as an assistant district attorney, she started a special victims bureau, where she supervised the prosecution of sex crimes, domestic violence, child abuse, and violent crimes against seniors. she was first elected to congress from queens in 1978. she served three terms in the house before running for vice president alongsi

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